CONCLUSIONS ADOPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE ... - UNHCR
CONCLUSIONS ADOPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE ... - UNHCR
CONCLUSIONS ADOPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE ... - UNHCR
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The Executive Committee,<br />
1980 (Executive Committee—31 st Session)<br />
<strong>CONCLUSIONS</strong> <strong>ADOPTED</strong><br />
<strong>BY</strong> <strong>THE</strong> <strong>EXECUTIVE</strong> COMMITTEE<br />
ON INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF REFUGEES 1<br />
No. 16 (XXXI) GENERAL (1980)<br />
(a) Noted that while a measure of progress had been achieved in regard to international protection since the<br />
Committee's thirtieth session, there were a number of serious problems which still remained unresolved;<br />
(b) Noted with appreciation the work of the Sub-Committee of the Whole on International Protection as<br />
representing an important contribution to improving the legal situation of refugees;<br />
(c) Stressed the fundamental importance of the principles established in regard to international protection<br />
and the need for these principles to be scrupulously observed in refugee situations existing in different areas of<br />
the world;<br />
(d) Stressed further that while there was a need to develop legal concepts relating to international<br />
protection in the light of the special conditions prevailing in different regions, this should not detract from the<br />
absolute character of the fundamental principles already established in this field;<br />
(e) Expressed serious concern that there were still cases in which the fundamental principle of nonrefoulement<br />
had been disregarded or in which refugees had been exposed to physical danger or violence;<br />
(f) Reiterated its condemnation of inhuman military attacks on refugee camps in southern Africa and the<br />
need for effective protection and humanitarian assistance to be accorded to the victims of such attacks;<br />
(g) Noted that while an increasing number of States had become parties to the 1951 United Nations<br />
Refugee Convention and to the 1967 Protocol, there was an urgent need for further States to accede with a view<br />
to the provisions of these instruments acquiring universal application;<br />
(h) Noted with appreciation that further States had adopted measures to implement the provisions of the<br />
Convention and the Protocol, especially as regards procedures for determining refugee status, and stressed the<br />
need for increased co-operation between Governments and <strong>UNHCR</strong> in this matter;<br />
(i) Recognized the value of examining problems of international protection in a regional context with a<br />
view to arriving at appropriate solutions;<br />
(j) Noted with appreciation the work of the Round Table of Asian Experts which met in Manila from 14 to<br />
18 April 1980 and the Declaration on the International Protection of Refugees and Displaced Persons in Asia<br />
and the Declaration on Pirate Attacks on Refugees and Displaced Persons adopted by the Round Table;<br />
(k) Reiterated the importance of promoting a wider knowledge and understanding of refugee law in<br />
increasing the effectiveness of international protection, and noted with satisfaction the progress achieved in this<br />
matter as described in document A/AC.96/INF.162;<br />
(l) Recognized the need-in the light of its increased range of activities in the field of international<br />
protection-for the Office to be provided with the necessary protection staff to enable it effectively to carry out<br />
these functions in various parts of the world.<br />
1 Contained in United Nations General Assembly Document No. 12A (A/35/12/Add.1)<br />
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